Updates and Upgrades To Get Your Home Ready for Sale

Getting your home in tip-top shape for selling can be a lots of work and lots of decision making. When the market is competitive, you’ll need to put your best foot forward and consider a few minor updates in order to come out ahead and win that buyers attention! One of those considerations is whether or not you should spend money on upgrades or updates. You may be thinking any or all of the following:

1. Which areas are worth the time, effort, and money? 2. My budget is so modest, should I bother making any changes? 3. I’m moving, why should I put the effort in for someone else to enjoy? Which areas are worth the investment?

Let’s tackle this one first. There are some areas of the home that buyers see value in and others that they view as not so important. The last thing you would want to do is invest in an upgrade that someone else won’t appreciate, and even worse…won’t pay for. Here are a few main areas that are surely worth the time and money spent.

1. Flooring is one of the most important areas of the home. Flooring is a focal point and it can also be a big undertaking. When a potential buyer comes in and thinks, ‘all of the floors need to be replaced’ they view it as a large scale, high-cost job which can be a deterrent for a buyer looking for a place that’s move-in-ready. 2. Kitchens are an asset to the home, and are usually featured in the listing as they are the most important room in the house when it comes to assigning value. Bringing cabinets, fixtures, and appliances up to date will always increase the value of your home, and will significantly increase your chances of a quick sale. If you’re not changing the floor plan, you’ll find you can do an impactful update on a modest budget. 3. Bathrooms are also a focal point of the home and you will usually get your money back on investing in a bathroom remodel. If you can’t afford to do this, give the bathroom a mini-makeover by re-caulking old looking caulk, or by having the tub re-glazed. A fresh coat of paint here just goes without saying! 4. Exterior Improvements are something to consider. See our past post on ‘Paint Pickin’ Choose the Right Colour for the Exterior of Your Home’ for insights on this topic. Some small updates could include removing old awnings, rusty railings, and bringing some charm to the entrance way with the use of plants, new supports, and paint. At the end of the day, a tidy and welcoming view from the curb can make a huge difference. 5. Paint! This is what we’d call ‘low-hanging fruit.’ It’s easy, affordable, and most people are comfortable doing it themselves. Choose a light, neutral colour that most people can get on board with. It will give buyers the feeling of stepping into a blank canvas that they could really see making their own.

My budget is so modest, should I bother making any changes? Or… I’m moving, why should I put the effort in for someone else to enjoy? Let’s address these together. As you read above, things like painting and new caulking can make a visible difference and they’ll show that the home was cared for by the owners. Updates and upgrades done prior to selling may seem like time and money spent on someone else’s future home, but they’re really about allowing you to win out over other homes that are on the market, especially if the sellers’ market is down. It’s a competition out there, and your home is being compared to others when a buyer shops around. Ultimately, you want your home to sell quickly, and you want to achieve your asking price! We’re here to help, and as your realtors you can rest assured that you’ll have the advice you need to get your home sold.